Chapter 3

"It'd be pretty cool if you had paid the least bit of attention TODAY," Rochelle said sourly.

"I'm sorry!" said Cassie, again and again. "I didn't know we would be transfiguring EACH OTHER."

"I never fancied being a neko-chan," said Rochelle. "Well, the cute anime ears would be cool, but not the look, thanks."

Cassie smiled apologetically. "Look, Rochie, I was wondering.. Why exactly are the Japanese people here?"

"Do you bother to read the Daily Prophet?"

"No. It's rubbish."

"Well, their school got burned down by an Unknown Source."

"Oh. Pity. Do you think it was.." she lowered her voice "Voldemort?"

"No. He wouldn't waste his time in Japan-"

"OOPH!" Cassie fell to the ground, bringing with her a girl with short, dark hair who seemed about her age, and on her neck was the mark of a Native American witch tribe. Cassie didn't recall seeing this girl before, but she certainly wasn't a first year.

"Shit. I'm sorry!" Cassie helped the girl back to her feet.

"Arigatou," the girl said with a bow.

"Wait, you're from the Japanese school?"

"Hai. Yes," the girl said. "I lived in Scotland originally, but my love for Gackt brought me to the wonderful land of Japan."

"Have you met Gackt-sama?" Rochelle asked.

"Yes, well, kinda," she blushed. "He hasn't said more than 'Ohayou' to me. Oh, I don't believe I have introduced myself. I'm Cheyenne."

"I'm Cassie," Cassie replied.

"Rochie chex mix," said Rochelle with a bow. Cheyenne giggled.

"Cass, we have to hurry now, we have potions."

They waved goodbye to the friendly Cheyenne.

"Stephenson, you're on time," said Snape coldly.

"Don't get used to it," Rochelle replied.

Snape scowled and turned to the board. "Shall we get started before Stephenson asks for a trophy?"

Emily laughed. Rochelle would have hit her if she was near.

"Now, who knows what the Mordondo Potion is?"

A boy raised his hand.

"Yes, mister. ."

"Kazuo Kiriyama."

"Mister Kazoo." Rochelle resisted the urge to shoot Snape.

"It is. . a potion for orgeens to. . esplodah."

"Yes. It reaches your stomach and causes all your inner organs to combust. Well done, mister Kazoo. It appears your school is done properly, with no tolerance for. ." his eyes shot to Harry Potter, "funny business."

Rochelle couldn't help herself. She let out a snort.

"Stephenson. What may I ask, is funny enough to interrupt my class?"

"Well, simply, the inaccuracy of your previous statement. See, if you knew Japan, or took any sort of interest in it, you would know that their schooling, public at least, and magical, are very loose due to-"

"Enough. Would you care to teach this class?" Snape's nostrils flared.

"Yes. I'm going to be a teacher, so why not?"

"Twenty points from Ravenclaw," said Snape, "and any further interruptions from Miss Stephenson and I'll make it fifty."

Hermione raised her hand. Snape ignored her.

"This is a note-taking period. Take out your quills and parchment, and no talking. Now, as few of you know, due to your ignorance, the Mordondo Potion was outlawed in.."

Emily's gaze hadn't left Kazuo from the time he raised his hand to the end of class.

After a long Potions class, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor students were released to lunch. Rochelle and Cassie took their normal seats, when a girl approached the seat opposite of Rochelle.

"May I sit here?" the girl asked in an accent.

"Hai," Rochelle replied.

The girl was no doubt from the Japanese school. Her hair was long and perfectly straight. Rochelle envied her hair, and Cassie envied her outfit. It was elegantly lacy and black. Her face was pale, and her eyes were designed brilliantly in makeup.

She smiled at Rochelle and sat down.

"Watashi wa Rochie-san desu," said Rochelle, speaking in perfect Japanese. The girl seemed surprised.

"You speak well Japanese," she said. "I am Emi Shizu."

"Lovely to meet you," said Cassie. "I'm Cassie." Cassie swooned a bit. This girl was more gorgeous than any American "goth."

"Where in Japan are you from?" Rochelle asked.

"I am from Tokyo, near Harajuku." Cassie perked up.

"I love Harajuku," Cassie said. This girl is my new best friend, she thought.

"I do also. I spend much time there."

She smiled, Cassie smiled, and Rochelle began a conversation with her in Japanese. Cassie thought, I could get used to this.

After a long first day of classes, Rochelle and Cassie headed to the common room.

"Did they get sorted into houses or what?" Cassie asked.

"I think they more of just.. picked," Rochelle replied with a shrug. "Anyways, we have Hide here. I'm not complaining."

"And Emi!" Cassie chimed in. As they continued walking, the Cheyenne girl they saw was sitting against a wall, her cap on backwards, drawing what appeared to be funny little characters.

"You alright?" Cassie asked.

"Oh, yeah, I just don't know where the Gryffindor common room is," Cheyenne replied.

Rochelle looked around. "Hey, Hermione!"

"Hello Rochelle," said Hermione politely. "Have a nice first day?"

"Yes, lovely, except I have this problem where I have Arithmancy and Charms at the same time."

"Pity you can't be in two places at once," Hemione replied absentmindedly. "Snape was dreadful today."

"Ah well. Hey, I have a favor to ask." Rochelle gestured to Cheyenne. "Our friend here from the Japanese academy can't find her way to the Gryffindor common room. Would you take her there?"

"Oh, yes, of course."

"Thanks," Cheyenne replied.

Rochelle and Cassie continued on to their own common room.

"Uh oh," whispered Cassie. "Lukas is talking to some girl."

Rochelle's eyes shot over to Lukas, and then relaxed. "No worries, that's his cousin."

"Hello Lukas," said Rochelle, acting bored. "Lovely day, huh?"

"Sure," he replied.

"It's rather fascinating having Japanese exchange students."

"Crossdressers, too." Rochelle laughed.

"Guy or girl, they're hot." Cassie knew that behind Lukas's sunglasses, he had some sort of glare.

"It's a pity their school got burned down."

"It was a Japanese Fire Demon, I'm sure," said a daydreamy voice. The girl, Lukas's cousin, had wide, curious blue eyes, and straggly, waist-length, dirty-blonde hair. Her wand was tucked behind her ear, and Cassie recalled seeing her the previous year.

"Fire demons?" Cassie asked curiously.

"They don't exist, Cass," Rochelle yawned. "Come along, you need my transfiguration notes."

As Rochelle pulled her away, Cassie said to the girl, "I'll see you later, and we can talk about those Fire Demons."

She looked pleasantly surprised.

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The next day was a Saturday. Yes, school started on a Friday. It was rather silly in Cassie's opinion. It was pouring rain, but Cassie didn't mind as much as Rochelle, whose hair was frizzing out.

Cassie walked towards the Owlery. Her bare feet slopped through the mud. It was Saturday morning, meaning she was too lazy to put shoes on and then have top clean off mud. Her rainbow umbrella caught the raindrops, but Cassie's hair was still a mess due to the wind. At least it's a nice day, she thought.

She then noticed a certain beech tree near the lake. Was that a girl in it? Cassie walked towards it curiously, a strange feeling within her. It was the same girl that she saw the first night.

As the tree came in sight, she then realized something important.

"Luna?" Cassie yelled.